𝓑𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 / 𝓑𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷

There was a time when Crara would ask herself “𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝐼 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝑔𝑜?”. In her childhood - he was a good company for hide-and-seek, at the beggining of her marriage ( oh, the golden days and white nights ! ) he was a good friend and a loyal ally, and then... Crara couldn’t tell when was the exact moment she fell for him; maybe because she loved him from the start, and the feeling have evolved and grew as they did. Crara never regret her marriage, and she remained faithful wife as long as Cristiano was a faithful husband - but once the marital rules of faithfulness became more ... lax, with time, she began to take advantage of that. A lot.

𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓈𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝑔𝑜? It was as if she was to forget a part of herself, a part which wasn’t flawless, but it WAS necessary for Crara to remain whole.

Night wasn’t a perfect time for political dealings, and she was trying to pass this visit as one, in case she was caught. With her long, golden hair clothed in dark hood, and a dark-wine dress, she entered the chamber in the 𝒫𝒶𝓁á𝒸𝒾𝑜 𝒹𝒶 𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒾𝑜 - 𝓂𝑜𝓇. She opened the doors herself; Nicoleto must have listened to her advice and gave most of the servants a day off. “ I was impatient to see you again . “ She said, her husky whisper  a good evidence of how she longed for him.

Crara was not bored during the garden party, but it was not due to attempts of entertainment provided by the hostess - Isabelle Neville. Or even if it was, Crara wouldn’t admit it. The queen had to work hard during event, seemingly organized only for pleasure of the guests. She was here to create alliances, offer deals, chat with women who were close to men in power - or held that power in fact. Some could say that Shahbanu Ghazala was in the second group - a powerful woman with a strong agenda, with Shah wrapped around her finger. But was that really the case ? And would Persia be an ally or a foe ? She knew a lot about factions in other Muslim kingdoms, to make sure if they are supporting Emirate of Córdoba or not, but situation in Persia seemed a bit confusing to her. With a glass of sparkling wine in her hand she approached Ghazala; the younger woman was standing far away from the crowd in the garden. “ Shahbanu Ghazala, is it ? “ she asked. “ How are you fairing, your majesty ? Was this evening worth travelling so far ?”

  .

How ironic it was that a country on negative standings with so many would host a summit in an attempt at peace, an event that could culminate in riots if care wasn’t taken, something that Florence had proven. What made Portugal better, why were they so pompous as to believe they would succeed where others had failed?

Cristiano knew what the rumors said - he always knew what they said even when he pretended to turn a deaf ear because it was easier to learn of things when people believed they would escape your attention. Whispers and gossip had plagued Cristiano’s life ever since he took the throne, murmurs of how he wasn’t prepared, he wasn’t meant to be a king, couldn’t produce a son, so on and so forth. He’d gotten used to blocking them out, trying not to take them to heard and instead focusing on the words of his advisors, of his wife.

How her head must be turning with thoughts, especially with the Emir so close at hand.

As he slipped inside their bedroom, Cristiano wasn’t surprised to see her still awake and Cristiano sat down next to her, erasing the space between them so that they were a united front just as they always were. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Cristiano gave a low chuckle at her words and leaned in to kiss her cheek, lips remaining close to her skin. “I can’t tell if you’re talking about severing his head from his neck or servicing his lower head.”

Pulling away from her so that he could meet her eye, Cristiano assumed it was the former because while sex was a good way of manipulating someone, he thought the venom Crara contained for the man might eat her from inside if she ever showed him such kindness. “What is it to be, my wife? Are we to lie in wait until a chance to strike, or play nicely and attempt to talk reason?”

His kiss on her cheek made the corners of her lips curl into a smile. Crara put away the goblet to let both her hands caress his shoulders. Still, his words made her narrow eyes in disgust. " That was a low remark, even for you. Would you entertain your enemy's harem? Doubtful. " She spat out, offended, though her eyes flickered, amused by the sexual tone of this remark, as always. Still, was the idea of Cristiano using Emir's harem or rather having a harem on his own really that impossible? He was her man, but he was only a man nonetheless. Though her jealousy from the first years of their marriage has withered, she sometimes wondered if he would impregnate a duchess, countess or, even worse, a princess, just to prove something to himself. A bastard from a noble or a royal mother could have been a dangerous pawn in the future. With so many virgins and lonely, pretty widows from all over the world that scenario was more plausible than ever. She needed to know, what was more important for him - his manly ambitions and unsatisfied ego or safe and peaceful future of their dynasty? " The more reasonable thing to do is to talk with reason first. " she sighed. " Attacking him in any official or unofficial way without any concrete evidence would be a political suicide with so many of them watching. " Them referred to other royals and nobles in Lisbon " But you know well which option tempts me more. " For a moment she leaned her head against chest, and after few heartbeats, asked : "Have you talked to him yet ? Did he seem guilty of... "  Crara couldn't bring herself to saying ' killing my sister '.

for : @codpieceking​

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲.The high-pitched laugh of a certain duchess was still vibrating unpleasantly in Crara’s ears. It was a nice sound, but only through the first hour. Though, there was little she wouldn't  endure when it came to expanding possible alliances for Portugal, especially against her enemy. An enemy she offered a bed in Lisbon, and a safe roof over his head. Well, safe did not mean "not observed by her spies" in this intance. Upon hearing  about her sister's suspicious death Crara thought she would be always consumed by anger, whenever she would hear the name of Al Barracinn. But, on the contrary, now she felt a flickering fire of excitement upon imminent confrontation. The same fire was burning low on the fireplace;  Crara was watching the flames dancing, with a cup of wine (a last one, as she promised herself) leaning against her bottom lip, without tasting it. The door closed; she felt the presence of her husband without even looking at him, like one feels warmth of the sun on a skin. She could have sit in silence beside him for hours, but the celebrations which were taking place in their kingdom were always in a dire need of discussing in detail between them, whenever possible. They were the host and hostess to the grandest gathering in Europe and all of those who have gathered would notice even a minor inconvenience, which would reflect on their image. " I never gave much thought to the proverb - keep your friends close, but your enemies closer " Crara mused, once Cristiano sat down on her left. Between one sip and another shekept watching the fire in silence - a balm for her ears, purifying. " I hope Emir is comfortable in Quinta Da Regaleira. I wonder... should I make sure how comfortable he is. " Crara's eyes locked with his in this red-coloured half-darkness, which made both of them look younger and more vigorous, and somewhat... divine.

 ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the QUEEN OF PORTUGAL, CRARA BRAGANZA, from PORTUGAL. they are at best GENEROUS, and at their worst VINDICTIVE. whilst abroad, their ambition is to STRENGHTEN THE POSITION OF HER COUNTRY BY CREATING ALLIANCES, AVENGE HER SISTER. SHE seems to remind everyone of LENA HEADEY & SCENT OF MUSK AND AMBER, PEARLS SCATTERED ON THE MARBLE FLOOR,SILENCE AFTER ASKING AN UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTION❞ penned by LUX, GMT + 2, SHE/HER, 23.

Hello to all of you !! I’m Lux, and here’s my cersei’s & catherine de medici inspired baby, Crara; come to me for plotting, just don’t cry if she bites you :3